This is an article from last summer, the Senate Joint Resolution #8 will come up again in the next legislative session in Jan. 2009. I will be posting more on the Casino Gaming bill, later.
Texas Casino Gambling Vote Stopped by Religious Conservatives
In the Texas state legislature, the religious right members have again stopped the voters from going to the polls to decide whether to allow casino gambling within the state. Fearing that such an initiative would be overwhelmingly be approved by voters, those staunch religious right representatives blocked bills from coming out of committee to allow voters to register their opinions. Brian Branderson, a gambling analyst said, "Once again, we have a situation of supposedly god-fearing religious right lawmakers pushing their morals on everyone. This is a classic interruption of the separation of church and state, which is guaranteed by the United States constitution." A poll in Texas, taken earlier this year, showed that a vote by the people would have been a resounding “YES” to casino gambling. Texas' surrounding state neighbors, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Louisiana have a combined 133 casinos. According to Business Week, in 2005, Las Vegas brought in $7.5 billion; Atlantic City came in a close second with $5 billion, Louisiana with $2.2 billion and Mississippi with $2.8 billion. A study done in Texas estimates that if Texas allows casino gambling it would create 400,000 jobs and generate between $1 and $4.5 Billion in state and local revenue. Texans are disappointed with the legislators who are more and more inserting religious views held by them and powerful lobbying groups that want to regulate morality. In 2008, Texans can change this. Texans will need to come out in force during that election cycle and support candidates that not only support legalizing casinos, but also lend their support to those willing to allow mature adults to make their own choices and decide what moral path each wants to pursue. June 30, 2007Posted By Bob HartmanStaff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Friday, June 20, 2008
Southern Tip of Padre Island's 2nd Bridge?
The next bridge to join the southern tip of Texas' barrier Island to the mainland is in it's second stage(Environmental stage). While the small local municipalities squabble and scratch at the locale of this historic connect, it is not a political football, much to their future dismay.
Economic factors will trump over political and personal agendas.
One-way streets and roadways do not spur economic progress as much as circular traffic patterns, so logic dictates a northern crossing of the upper Bahia Laguna Madre.
There is no need to reinvent the concept i.e., Tampa Bay, San Francisco Bay, Miami Beach (our most logical and nearest comparison) to see that Holley Beach to Access #4 or #6 is the best and most logical crossing.
The reasons why:
1. Our State and Federal government budgets are stretched and those funds could take 10-20 years, yet a private or public bond issue initiated by our RMA (Regional Mobility Authority) can make it happen within 7 years.
2. An "RMA" bond issue will not raise local taxes 1 cent and, yet fast track construction, but it will make the crossing a "Toll bridge" in order to pay back the bond.
3. The Queen Isabella Memorial Causeway needs relief now, she's 35 years old.
4. Port/Point Isabel & South Padre Island will always remain economically viable and continue to grow and prosper.
5. Why would anyone use/utilize a toll crossing, if there is a free bridge nearby?
Roman C. Esparza
Economic factors will trump over political and personal agendas.
One-way streets and roadways do not spur economic progress as much as circular traffic patterns, so logic dictates a northern crossing of the upper Bahia Laguna Madre.
There is no need to reinvent the concept i.e., Tampa Bay, San Francisco Bay, Miami Beach (our most logical and nearest comparison) to see that Holley Beach to Access #4 or #6 is the best and most logical crossing.
The reasons why:
1. Our State and Federal government budgets are stretched and those funds could take 10-20 years, yet a private or public bond issue initiated by our RMA (Regional Mobility Authority) can make it happen within 7 years.
2. An "RMA" bond issue will not raise local taxes 1 cent and, yet fast track construction, but it will make the crossing a "Toll bridge" in order to pay back the bond.
3. The Queen Isabella Memorial Causeway needs relief now, she's 35 years old.
4. Port/Point Isabel & South Padre Island will always remain economically viable and continue to grow and prosper.
5. Why would anyone use/utilize a toll crossing, if there is a free bridge nearby?
Roman C. Esparza
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Ocean Tower: Sinking or Settling? KVEO Video
A muliti-million dollar condominium high rise building is settling and sinking on South Padre Island.
Construction is temporarily haulted at Ocean Tower condos, on the north end of South Padre Island and it's one of the tallest buildings in the Valley and this building delay on these 151 high priced, ocean view condos, is raising some concerns.
Construction crews are still on site at the luxurous Ocean Towers condos, but work has come to a hault. Late last week, Cameron county officials say, after inspecting they realized, this 31 story high skyscraper is slowly settling into the sand, more than it should be.
Column cracks in the parking garage structure concern former developers like, Fred Joseph, but real estate agents, who work closely with Ocean Tower developlers say, there isn't much to worry about. What apparently happened is the tower and parking garage were mistakenly built connected and say, tower is not leaning, but the parking garage structure did not settle. The connection of the garage to the tower caused cracks at the junction points because of the unsettling.
Still, residents sasy they hope construction continues, so profits won't be lost. Agents involved with the project tell us, developers hope to resolve the situation and resume construction by Monday. They say sinking is not un-heard of for buildings being built so close to the ocean.
WATCH THE KVEO NEWS VIDEO
Construction is temporarily haulted at Ocean Tower condos, on the north end of South Padre Island and it's one of the tallest buildings in the Valley and this building delay on these 151 high priced, ocean view condos, is raising some concerns.
Construction crews are still on site at the luxurous Ocean Towers condos, but work has come to a hault. Late last week, Cameron county officials say, after inspecting they realized, this 31 story high skyscraper is slowly settling into the sand, more than it should be.
Column cracks in the parking garage structure concern former developers like, Fred Joseph, but real estate agents, who work closely with Ocean Tower developlers say, there isn't much to worry about. What apparently happened is the tower and parking garage were mistakenly built connected and say, tower is not leaning, but the parking garage structure did not settle. The connection of the garage to the tower caused cracks at the junction points because of the unsettling.
Still, residents sasy they hope construction continues, so profits won't be lost. Agents involved with the project tell us, developers hope to resolve the situation and resume construction by Monday. They say sinking is not un-heard of for buildings being built so close to the ocean.
WATCH THE KVEO NEWS VIDEO
Friday, June 6, 2008
NEWS RELEASE
May 23rd, 2008
A recent reversal in mortgage policy means the market is better positioned for a turnaround, according to the National Association of Realtors®. NAR President Richard F. Gaylord, a broker with RE/MAX Real Estate Specialists in Long Beach, Calif., said the good news is that mortgage restrictions have just been eased. “In the past week, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae announced that they were eliminating their ‘declining market’ policies, effective June 1,” he said.
“This means consumers across the country will have access to safe, affordable financing with down payments of only 5 percent on most mortgages, with 100 percent financing available on some loan products, and we could see an upturn in home sales this summer.”
A recent reversal in mortgage policy means the market is better positioned for a turnaround, according to the National Association of Realtors®. NAR President Richard F. Gaylord, a broker with RE/MAX Real Estate Specialists in Long Beach, Calif., said the good news is that mortgage restrictions have just been eased. “In the past week, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae announced that they were eliminating their ‘declining market’ policies, effective June 1,” he said.
“This means consumers across the country will have access to safe, affordable financing with down payments of only 5 percent on most mortgages, with 100 percent financing available on some loan products, and we could see an upturn in home sales this summer.”
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Summer season is underway on Texas' #1 beach destination!
Our real estate market is very active as Buyers recognize the amazing deals to be found. Two of the most recent condos sold went for $132,000 & $140,000. These were 2B/2B condos in different complexes, just across the street from the beach.
$275,000 for a one bedroom beachfront condo, and a 3B/3B, brand new upgraded condo, half a block to the beach for under $250,000! The phrase “kid in a candy store” may just apply to investors as well looking for a great deal on the Island right now!
Our pre-construction development, Solarium & Sky Beach , is proving to be a hit already, due to its unique rooftop amenities & competitive pricing. Those reserving units at Solarium are buyers wanting to plan ahead for their piece of Island paradise, as completion is not until 2010. There are still plenty of available units so call us for a Reservation Agreement.
The good news is not all of the best deals have been snapped up yet, and this month’s Newsletter shows you our top picks for your best investment/vacation home, or an Island Lot close to the beach. These properties have been chosen from the MLS and not just our office listings, so you know you are getting the full spectrum.
So come on down, take a vacation, see for yourself the incredible real estate deals we have here on the Island. Book a condo or beach house rental with our sister company, Latitude 26, and experience first-hand our investment rental program.
Roman & Jane Esparza
$275,000 for a one bedroom beachfront condo, and a 3B/3B, brand new upgraded condo, half a block to the beach for under $250,000! The phrase “kid in a candy store” may just apply to investors as well looking for a great deal on the Island right now!
Our pre-construction development, Solarium & Sky Beach , is proving to be a hit already, due to its unique rooftop amenities & competitive pricing. Those reserving units at Solarium are buyers wanting to plan ahead for their piece of Island paradise, as completion is not until 2010. There are still plenty of available units so call us for a Reservation Agreement.
The good news is not all of the best deals have been snapped up yet, and this month’s Newsletter shows you our top picks for your best investment/vacation home, or an Island Lot close to the beach. These properties have been chosen from the MLS and not just our office listings, so you know you are getting the full spectrum.
So come on down, take a vacation, see for yourself the incredible real estate deals we have here on the Island. Book a condo or beach house rental with our sister company, Latitude 26, and experience first-hand our investment rental program.
Roman & Jane Esparza
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